The year 2024 is shaping up to be an unforgettable year for Nick Mead for multiple reasons. His historic gold medal win at the Paris Olympics is obvious among fans, but what may not be as apparent is the pending celebration in his personal life.
The rowing star is not new to the experience of unparalleled joy, but the next chapter in his life could easily compete with the pure exuberance he felt in Paris.
Princeton Sweethearts: Nick Mead and Paulina Orillac’s Journey to Their October Wedding
Nick Mead and his girlfriend Paulina Orillac, who first crossed paths while studying at Princeton University, are about to celebrate a huge milestone in their personal lives: their upcoming wedding ceremony. The couple has been in a relationship for over a decade, 11 years to be precise.
After such a long dating life, their love story took a romantic turn on their 10th anniversary when Nick got down on his knee and asked Paulina to marry him. As you’d expect, she couldn’t wait to say yes. The duo is set to exchange vows on October 5, 2024, at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York. This beautiful venue will definitely add a touch of elegance to their special day.
Nick’s soon-to-be wife Paulina Orillac is a Princeton graduate, who currently serves as the Vice President of Enlightened Hospitality Investments. She had humble beginnings early on in her career, but her rise in professional life has been nothing short of impressive. After completing a Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biological Engineering in 2017, Paulina kickstarted her career in investment banking at Centerview Partners.
She then swiftly moved to Greater NY, where she worked as an analyst, while simultaneously contributing to the Community Service Society of New York as a junior board member. Her current role as Vice President at Enlightened Hospitality Investments is unquestionably her most significant position, yet. It’s nothing short of deserved, though, as her dedication to the field is exemplary.
Nick Mead: Olympic Gold, Flag Bearer, and Princeton Star
Nick Mead, a 6’6″ rower from Strafford, PA, is a two-time Olympian. Following his graduation from Princeton in 2017, he competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he finished 4th in the Men’s Eight. That was only the start for this talented athlete. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, he finally won gold in the Men’s Four.
Away from the Olympics, Nick also won a couple of silver medals at the World Championships in 2017 and 2023. Son of Philip and Carolyn Mead, rowing runs in Nick’s family. His dad rowed for Princeton while his mom and elder brother, Loren, both rowed for Penn. There’s no question he’s definitely keeping the tradition alive.
Currently, Nick Mead is receiving global acclaim, thanks to his amazing display at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he earned a gold medal. He also made history in the process, becoming the first person from the United States to win a gold in rowing in six decades. That’s not all. Nick, along with swimming sensation Katie Ledecky, were the two athletes chosen to carry the Stars and Stripes for the United States at the Closing Ceremony in Paris, a truly amazing honor that cannot be taken lightly.
As for Nick Mead’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, he was a key player on the U.S. men’s four-rowing team that included Liam Corrigan, Michael Grady, and Justin Best. The race went to the wire as the U.S. crew barely held off an impressive push from New Zealand. The American team performed decisively in the final 600 meters when they executed a crucial sprint that made all the difference. Mead and his team crossed the finish line in 5:49.03, just 0.85 seconds ahead of New Zealand and Great Britain, who came third.
Their success was not down to luck by any stretch of the imagination. The U.S. team shared amazing chemistry thanks to their extensive time rowing together, which helped them build strong trust and cohesion. The fact that they were motivated to take that next leap after past near-podium finishes, on top of immense physical training meant a top performance was inevitable.
Beyond his success on the Olympic stage, Nick Mead’s background shows he’s a truly extraordinary individual, who has excelled at both athletics and academics. During his time at Princeton, he shone as the Captain of the Varsity Heavyweight Rowing Team, on top of being a Student-Athlete Wellness Leader.
Mead’s professional life began as a Tax Accounting Intern at Fermont Group, followed by working in marketing with Plan Inc. and Blueland. Since June 2023, he’s been juggling his athletic career with a gig at Peloton Interactive.
